News | Wednesday, 08 July 2009

The Valletta Project – Time for Decision and Implementation

The Malta Tourism Society feels that the project that was unveiled last Saturday in Valletta by the Prime Minister and Renzo Piano should breathe new life into a city that has been stifled by years of neglect and civic irresponsibility. Ever since the time when the ruins of the old Opera House were dismantled by a post war Government in the 1950’s, the soul and heart of this city stopped pounding with the reverberance of a metropolitan town in the middle of the busy Mediterranean; the fifty or so small hotels in the Capital slowly disappeared, the cinemas. Cafes and shops lost some of their former lustre and lure and the aspect of commercialism kicked in.
The Society feels that the new plans that have evolved over a 25 year period can be seen as a breathe of fresh air for that part of the city which has suffered most from this neglect and apathy – the entrance, the new parliament building, which is seen as a symbol of the democratic process which has ensured a stable and congruent system of governance throughout the past forty years and the Opera House site which symbolizes the bridge between the past and the future should now be upgraded to give our capital city that heart and soul which it so needs to really extol the vibrant characteristic and attractiveness that it has signified for over 400 years. We urge the Government and competent authorities to consider, with utmost sincerity and importance, the incorporation of a state-of-the-art Tourism Information Office at the new Parliament building; this should reflect the advances made over the last few years in support services such as IT, CRM and Tourism Policy. We also encourage the embellishment of the City Gate entrance that reflects the experience of a 16th Century walled town and that this needs to include a further embellishment of the shopping centre and private apartment block on the left side of this entrance.
We would further urge the authorities and Government to implement the enhancements and upgrading projects at Fort St. Elmo and the Barakka – Waterfront connections. It is only when these projects are completed that this “City Built by Gentlemen” can be enjoyed by all local residents, Maltese and Gozitans as well as those visitors who really appreciate the beauty of this unique walled town.

PRINT THIS ARTICLE

Other News

Brussels forces government to reduce deficit by 2010

Maltese tourism so far unaffected by swine flu

Air Sicilia founder eyes Malta for low-cost airline

World Bank excludes Malta from latest global economic forecasts

Shop owners with mixed feelings over Piano plans

MFSA increases burdens on companies - GRTU

Consumer and Competition Division to be restructured into agency

ECB keeps rates unchanged

MMA investigates collision of Malta registered ship off Copenhagen

IHI announces allotment policy for €35,000,000 6.25% Bonds 2015-2019

Ryanair inaugurates flights from Bristol

Fort Cambridge awards €2.4 million tender for lifts

Air Malta and the Union of Cabin Crew to sign new collective agreement

S&P’s affirms A/A1 credit rating for Malta

No emission tests by ADT since last year

Caught with €52,000 undeclared cash on his way to Malta

The straw that breaks the camel’s back

Julian Zarb: Competition or complementary?

Adjusting ICT standardisation to the realities of the 21st century

The Valletta Project – Time for Decision and Implementation

A guaranteed job with CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting

Bay Street appoints new CEO

Mark Lamb: Refining the Dollar